Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1887-02-24
WASHINGTON LETTER.
lfrom Our Regular Correspondent
WASHINGTON, Feb. 1lth, 1887.

WAsHIxGToS, Feb. 1lth, 1887.
The past week in congress has not
been one of great Importance in 'egls-
lative matters. but both houses of
congress have discussed questions of
wide national interest, and the tran
sccndent subject OF tariff legislation
has been settled, at least SO far as the
ciiOn OF the present congress is con
cerned. From the formal correspond
erwe between Mcssrs. Carlisle and
Randall it is evident that the efforts
of those who wish to reduce the reve-
n,ic will he futile. Neither party will
concale u point, and it is plain that
their correspondence has had for its
object to define the attitude OF the
respective factions before the public,
and was not written with the hope OF
reaching basis for tariff LEGISLATION.
The relega,ion of tariff legislation to
the future brings up the question OF an
extra session of congress. Idle money
is accommodating in the national Golfer
at the remarkable rate OF 0O.ODO.-
600 a year, and the American voter,
whether democrat or republican, does
not need to he u iinamier TO know
that it is not business like to hoard
so much dead capital. in extra scs-
sion will doubtless he calicd--pos-il,ly
soon after the adjournment oi the
present congress. but it j. the opinion
in political circles tina. the extra SEES
sion will not be convened until the
first OF October.
There is much speculation as to
Who will he appointed commits
sioners under he prosision of the ihter
state commerce bill. Many have
called Themselves to Wa .hn.ton, but
only five can he chosen. The pi'e>i-
dem; is very much hirrasSel with the
opportunities of applicants, many of
whom ARE men OF such inlueuc. and
distinction that their suiFs cannot he
wholly ignored. Mr.. Cleveland doubt
less regrets that congress, in passing
the bill did not make provision that
this commission should bc chosen I'M
der civil service rules and by conipet-
tive examination.
/ Ii has been said that Coi. Morrison
has been offered the chairniluship OF
the commission, also that he has been
offered the secretaryship OF the treasu-
ry department. which Mr.. Manning is
expected to resign in the spring. Many
other things are said and denied
hut they have no denser CONSISTENCY
than rumor and will not repeat them.
Notwithstanding the closeness OF the
final hour of this session il is believed
by many that congress will pass bill
changing inauguration day from hy-
pcrborean fourth of March to the
nadigral thirticth OF April. Their,
are perhaps not less than one hun
dred bald headed members and sena-
tors OF the present congress with pres
idcntial bees buzzing in their bonnets
TO them the vision of riding down tn,
avenue, bare headed. from the White
House to the capitol OH II windy
fourth OF March is not an ayrecabl,
episode in their political air castles
They will form II powerful nucleus f"i
the passage OF the bill and whateve
} may he their motive, the country
and humanity will be benefited ii tn
proposed bill bcomes n law. It,
passage must he in the nature OF ai
amendment to the constitution. I'm,
must therefore he ratified by the leg,i-
lativc assemblies OF two-thir,is of tn
states. Hence the Importance q
passing it the present session, in or'le
that it may he i'm lime to receive ratl
ihation and take effect with the inau
. guration of the president on the BOT
of April. 1889. The passage of such I
, bill would he of great benefit TO III
country. in that it would protract th
short session of congress. which nD'
dtlNbtlIl~ p1i tIit l'bti II WI -'f'i' IA
The country ha. grown 50 great, II
interests have become so complies
that the limited legislative term. al
!. pointed 10y the founders. Is now to
brief. OF course it will be urged b
some smart and oririnal people ths
n congress does NOR. harm than 90"
and the sooner it aljourns the bate
but this talk iS alway- shallow and i,
-inrcre. ana those best acquainte
with legislative history OF the countr
i, know that subjects "f great nationi
'.pith and moment have suffere
most from neglect or hasty legislation
In national poIiiv the lr-i>ln'i u
function j. not b inpprf ta.